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2006 Preview - Chicago White Sox
Coming off an incredible season capped by a remarkable playoff run, the Pale Hose have to be the team to beat in the ALC at the least, and possibly the entire Junior Circuit.
Chicago’s South Side entry in the majors made just a few changes, most notably bringing in Javier Vazquez to stack an already impressive starting rotation and swapping center fielder Aaron Rowand for DH-1B Jim Thome. So the core of the team that went all the way is back and will probably not be able to rest on its laurels with the feisty and outspoken Ozzie Guillen on the dugout’s top step.
While Thome and lefty Mark Buehrle lead an impressive group of veterans, a couple of youngsters could hold the key to Chicago’s upcoming campaign. Brandon McCarthy is presently slated for the bullpen with Buehrle, Vazquez, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland and Freddy Garcia pretty much cemented in the rotation. If one of them falters, either through slump or injury, or if the White Sox deal one of their Big 5 as rumored this off season, McCarthy will be counted on to step into the starting mix and keep the staff from missing a beat.
Brian Anderson has the CF job entering camp and is projected as a solid all-around contributor on offense and defense. With an above average arm, his range is a bit of a question for center this year. If he can’t handle it, look for Scott Podsednik to slide around to CF and Anderson to take left.
Likely sandwiching Thome in the middle of the White Sox lineup are sluggers Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye. If Thome can get back close to his old ways, look for big numbers off their bats. The middle of the diamond is filled by Juan Uribe and Tad Iguchi. They likely won’t inspire poetry along the lines or Tinker and Evers in terms of defense, but neither will they embarrass. I’m also interested to see how Iguchi adjusts and performs in his second season on this side of the Pacific.
Joe Crede is the right age (27) entering the season to have a career year. And if Thome really does pick up the offense, the old trickle down effect could see Crede pop more than 25 flies and push his average up to or above the .275 mark. AJ Pierzynski is behind the dish and his presence and leadership in 2005 was most evident in the starting staff’s emergence as a group. Pierzynski also slapped a career-high 18 homers in a ballpark that seems to cater to lefty swingers who can go the other way.
Rob Mackowiak and Pablo Ozuna are the primary backups on the infield, with Mackowiak also a possibility for some outfield play. Long considered a stud in waiting, former Stanford QB Joe Borchard enters spring training as the fourth outfielder. He also enters spring out of options and has reportedly considered switching back to football, possibly in Canada. If he has a good spring, Chicago might also consider trying to deal him and give the #4 OF slot to Jerry Owens.
No team in the majors will go far without a solid bullpen, and the White Sox have a strong quartet in Bobby Jenks, Neal Cotts, Dustin Hermanson and Cliff Politte. That group combined for an ERA just above 2.00 and surrendered but 15 homers in about 225 innings last season.
It’s always tough to repeat, especially after the opportune manner they went about reeling off wins last year. But with their deep rotation, a bit of an unsung bullpen and the addition of Thome, Chicago’s South Side entry should be in line to do just that.
Key Performer(s): Unless Thome is going to ignite the offense into a real powerhouse a la the Yankees, pitching will remain the key component for the White Sox in ’06 like it was in 2005.
Camp Question(s): Will Jenks claim the closer’s role and can Anderson make the transition to the majors as expected and help the team and fans not miss Rowand in center?
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Originally Posted by bigboydan
